In seven of the busiest United States airports, around 2,000 contract workers went on strike Wednesday, Nov. 18 protesting what they claim to be poor working conditions and retaliation for unionizing.

NBC News reported that the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) said "Intimidation, harassment and antiworker tactics don't belong in airports."

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The terminal and cabin cleaners, baggage handlers as well as wheelchair attendants took to the streets outside airports in cities of New York, Boston, Chicago and others to dispute low wages, SEIU said on its website.

Fort Lauderdale, Chicago O'Hare, Philadelphia, New York's Kennedy, Boston, Newark Liberty and LaGuardia airports were affected, according to the union.

The striking cabin and airport cleaners at both JFK and LaGuardia airports were protesting against their employers Ultimate Aircraft and Roma, subcontracted by JetBlue, Gate Serve and Delta, reported CCN Money.

Most of these service jobs are now outsourced to companies that compete for the contracts once contracted directly with airlines or airports.  Some studies suggest that the growing trend has led to unworthy working conditions and lower incomes.

According to Washington Post, the strike was part of a growing national campaign for a $15-an-hour minimum wage for the least-paid airport workers in charge of terminals and plane cabins, those who move bags and transport people with disabilities. The workers are employed by contractors who serve all major airlines, and some of them are making hourly salaries as low as $6.75, union leaders say.

The demonstrators also took to the streets to stand with union rights with no retaliation from employers or private contractors.

The strikes come just days ahead of the busiest air travel week.  More than 3.6 million Americans planned to travel for the Thanksgiving holiday, according to AAA estimates.

Airport workers across the U.S. have held protests, rallies and marches over the past three years, demanding better pay and other benefits. Some workers argue that the low wages force them to work two or three jobs to sustain their families.

TagsContract Airport Workers, U.S. airports, Fort Lauderdale, Airport Workers Go on Strike, Greg Meyer, LaGuardia airports, SEIU spokesman, Marc Goumbri, US Airport Workers Strike